AllEarth Solar Power Blog

When it comes to small commercial solar development, it’s critical to know the economics on any system, and to be able to calculate both the real costs of the project, and the savings the project can provide. Many of the drivers of a small commercial project are similar to those in the residential market, just at a larger size and scale, since you’re dealing with businesses instead of homeowners.

We’ve already explored the importance of maximizing power production in small commercial projects: without a clear understanding of how the project will perform (and pay for itself), you’ll never be able to get a project off the ground. Moving beyond the dollar-per-watt to focus on the project’s dollar-per-kilowatt-hour value is a great way to ensure that your project will create a long-term return on investment. The higher the production capacity of your system, the higher your return will be.

Choosing the right solar system for your customer can feel like a daunting process, so to simplify the process, focus on the essentials. There are several basic components to consider in solar system design: the solar panels, the inverter, and the mounting and racking systems. Each of these comes with a range of options to choose from, but understanding the differences between them will ensure that you select the right system to meet your customer's energy needs.

When it comes to small commercial solar, return on investment is one of the key measures of a project's success. One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck and meet your bottom line is reframing the way you think about the products and techniques used, and moving beyond the traditional dollar per watt measures. Thinking about production capacity, and your dollar per kilowatt-hour, will yield a much better picture of how your project will fare.